The Hundred Years’ War

Just like the Hundred Years’ War between France and England (1337 – 1453) the sporting relations between England and Germany as well as England and France could equally be described as Hundred Years’ Wars. Just like their historical blue print, the Anglo-German ‘Football war‘ or the Anglo-French rugby rivalry are not constantly contested conflicts rather they flicker from time to time and there are periods when these ‘wars’ will appear to be hot instead of cold, i.e. ahead of a football or rugby match and in the aftermath of these. Most of this will happen in the media, where all sorts of language is used to describe the events on the pitch in most the bellicose manner. That the language to describe football matches contains martial terms and phrases, makes it even easier for writers and journalists to paint a picture of war and conflict.